What Deductions Are Pretax?

Pretax deductions lower your overall tax liability.

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Many employers offer benefits governed by Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code -- such as retirement accounts and certain health plans -- that employees can pay for with pretax wages. Participating employees elect to have deductions taken from their payroll checks to cover the premium or contribution amount before the Internal Revenue Service takes its share. The results are lower taxable income for the participating employees and fewer federal, state, Social Security and Medicare taxes taken from each paycheck.

Health Insurance

One of the most common deductible pretax benefits is health insurance. Medical, dental and vision insurance fall in this category, and the employee's share of

premiums can be paid through pretax payroll deductions. Pretax insurance premiums cannot be included as a qualified medical expense on your tax returns because the deductions are already excluded from your taxable income, according to IRS Publication 502.

Life Insurance

Employers offering group term life insurance coverage to their workers may allow premiums to be paid through pretax payroll deductions. If you are covered by your company's group term life insurance policy, IRS regulations state that insurance coverage in excess of $50,000 is recognized as regular income and the tax liability lies with the employee. For example, an employee with $150,000 in group term life insurance coverage will be taxed on $100,000 of her coverage amount.